Kate and other royals were somber in black for today’s Remembrance Sunday ceremonies in London.

James Whatling / Splash News

Above we see Kate with Sophie of Wessex. Many readers will recognize the coat worn last year to the ceremony, it is by Diane von Furstenburg.

Today’s ceremony commemorates the Armistice ending World War I, it was signed at the ‘eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month’ in 1918. Remembrance Sunday is always observed on the second Sunday in November.

Earlier today services were held in Afghanistan, Prince Harry is one of thousands serving there.

UK Armed Forces Facebook

In London it was a bright, sunny day. Royal photographer Mark Stewart tweeted this photo of crowds gathering at the Cenotaph.

The first stroke of Big Ben at 11am and the firing of a gun from Horse Guards Parade by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery marked the start of two minutes of silence, which was followed by The Last Post, sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines.

Her Majesty’s Armed Forces

The Queen was the first to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.

Her Majesty’s Armed Forces

Princess Anne was in uniform and laid a wreath honoring the Navy, Prince William laid a wreath for the RAF.

UK Armed Forces

A bit of background on the Cenotaph: located in Whitehall, it was initially created as a temporary structure for a parade ending WWI, but ultimately re-built as a permanent war memorial.

For those with mobility issues there are others ways to move around and take part in today’s ceremony.

Her Majesty’s Armed Forces

Readers may also noticed that Kate’s hat was familiar, here is another look.

Splash News

It is the Philip Treacy hat worn with her red Armani coat for William’s passing out ceremony at Sandhurst in 2006.

Press Association/Splash News.com

For those not as familiar with that 2006 event, here is a full-length shot.

Tim Ockenden/WPA rota/UK Press Association

Today’s coat is a 2008 piece by Diane von Furstenberg, it is 100% wool, with soutache trim on the detachable collar and cuffs, double breasted styling, storm flaps, decorative buttons and other design features the Duchess is fond of.

YOOX.com

Here we see Kate with the Duchess of Cornwall watching last year’s ceremonies.

Splash News

Here is a more detailed look at the trim on the collar and cuffs, once again Kate elected to leave off the detachable cuff trim.

UPDATE #2 DEC 7, 2012: We have been advised the gloves are not by Black, but instead, by Cornelia James. Kate was actually wearing the company’s “Pure Wool Glove with Side Bow,” described as “Short pure wool glove with side bow. Very 50′s.” I have included another color in the photos below to ensure a better look at the bow detail.

Cornelia James ‘Pure Wool Glove with Side Bow’

These come in a broad range of colors, they run £52, roughly $80 at today’s exchange rate. It should be no surprise these are by Cornelia James, more on the company history from its website:

We are glove manufacturers by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen. Our association with the Queen goes back to 1947 when Norman Hartnell, who had been asked to make the young Princess going away outfit following her marriage to Prince Philip, asked Cornelia to make the gloves that she would wear.

The brooch is available, it runs £24.99, delivery in the UK is £2.95, good news for international customers, worldwide shipping is £6.95.

Thursday the Queen paid a visit to The Poppy Factory, the charity is celebrating its 90th Anniversary. This year more than 12 million poppies and 107,000 wreaths were made by hand (!) for Remembrance Sunday.

The Poppy Factory

The Poppy Factory is an amazing story in itself:

Since 1922, The Poppy Factory (originally called the Disabled Society) has been employing wounded, sick and injured ex-Service personnel in its Factory.

Major George Howson MC, who served on the Western Front, set up The Disabled Society in 1922 in the Old Kent Road with the sole purpose of producing poppies, with the workforce being severely wounded veterans from WW1.

In recent years, The Poppy Factory has transformed itself into a thoroughly modern charity. As well as providing work for veterans at its HQ in Richmond, The Poppy Factory uses its unique expertise to help its clients find employment with many commercial organisations all over the UK.

The Queen is no stranger to the facility, this was her third visit to the Factory.

The Tournament exists to raise much-needed funds to support the brave men and women of our Armed Forces as well as their families. By attending you are helping the three national charities of the British Armed Forces – The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. They work together to be there for each and every member of our military family.

British Military Tournament

It looks like an extraordinary and enjoyable event. A few of this year’s acts:

The bands of the Royal Marines, the Household Cavalry, the Royal Artillery and the Royal Air Force, the gymnasts of the Royal Navy performing their celebrated Window Ladder display and the Queen’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force presenting its drill display.

Over 150 horses including the iconic Musical Drive of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery and Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry, the Light Cavalry Honourable Artillery Company and the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars.

The largest massed bagpipe band seen at Earls Court since the Second World War.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Also, Kate was seen out and about yesterday, following a stop at Harvey Nichols, PopSugar has several pictures here. The Duchess was in black tip-to-toe,

UPDATED:It now appears the shoes are indeed the Kurt Geiger Estee, with thanks to Ashley for her determination in following through on this particular ID. There is now debate about the shoes actually being Kurt Geiger’s, we will update when we have more info about the shoes. Kate was sporting a pair of Kurt Geiger suede courts (pumps) in black, the shoe features a 3-1/2″ heel. At this point the shoe is only available in very limited sizes at Selfridge’s, House of Fraser and Kurt Geiger. Harrod’s has a broader size range (£140), and they do ship internationally, but delivery is pricier (£25) than other shops. (Although if you’re in the UK, delivery is free.)